LeBron Rookie Card Rankings - Page 2

robertscz · 12-09-2019, 08:15 AM

Not trying to thread jack, but quick question...

Seems as though the 2 that are "affordable" to me are the spa and spx... When it comes to these cards, how important will the grading be as we move forward??

There are multiple BGS 9/10 that are way lower in price on ebay right now (obviously), would I be worth the extra money and time to wait for one to pop up that is a 9.5/10?

Is BGS the way to go with these because of the dual grading over PSA? Thank you!

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ACCDADEAL · 12-09-2019, 08:27 AM

here is mine, pack pulled, love this card....

KhalDrogo · 12-09-2019, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertscz

Not trying to thread jack, but quick question...

Seems as though the 2 that are "affordable" to me are the spa and spx... When it comes to these cards, how important will the grading be as we move forward??

There are multiple BGS 9/10 that are way lower in price on ebay right now (obviously), would I be worth the extra money and time to wait for one to pop up that is a 9.5/10?

Is BGS the way to go with these because of the dual grading over PSA? Thank you!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Personally, I don’t think grade matters so much on cards like this. These are now 15+ years old. They are high-end. And I now have to question the legitimacy of any of these that were graded in recent years given the trimming scandal. The SPA especially is a prime target for trimming because of the sensitive condition and thinner stock. I would be very very thorough before making a purchase on any of these.

nfunk · 12-09-2019, 09:32 AM

To me it's the Ultimate without question. Great pose, auto stands out on the white background, and it's limited to 250 copies with no parallels.

As others have mentioned, TC has many parallels and I like the eye appeal of the Xfractor over the gold. 03-04 Golds don't have an amazing shine.

PKIPP · 12-09-2019, 09:59 AM

Love some gold refractors but I'd rather have a Bron rookie auto so.. The ultimate collection for sure. If the gold was /10 like panini era stuff maybe I'd feel different? Either way both are dope tho.

pcptrade · 12-09-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfunk

To me it's the Ultimate without question. Great pose, auto stands out on the white background, and it's limited to 250 copies with no parallels.

As others have mentioned, TC has many parallels and I like the eye appeal of the Xfractor over the gold. 03-04 Golds don't have an amazing shine.

You have a conflict of interest. Your avatar/profile picture says it all. Just kidding...

nfunk · 12-09-2019, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcptrade

You have a conflict of interest. Your avatar/profile picture says it all. Just kidding...

LOL!

Both are great options. Hope you're able to find 1 or both!

jterp5 · 12-09-2019, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the27guy

Short story - I usually side with which is rarer. That’s a personal preference, but I’m far more likely to prefer the more difficult to find card. So for me,
The chrome gold vs the ultimate isn’t a close race.

The ultimate is definitely a great looking card, but his autographs on the card usually leave me wanting more. I loved it when it was a $2500 card. But the last three years have put it in a value territory that for a card with a population of 250 feels uncomfortably high.

The gold refractor on the other hand is more of a ghost. As you said, one fifth the population, out of a lower end product where that specific card was clearly the best thing you could pull. If I was in the market, I’d try to find one graded a long time ago, preferably by Beckett.

Edit - you didn’t ask, but I would take the ultimate auto patch /25 over the chrome /50. Again.... rarity.

The valuation of the Ultimate /250 is an interesting question.

Look at recent sales of the Exquisite RPA /99 and I'm not sure I agree the UC is "uncomfortably high." We now see the market for a BGS 9 Exquisite RPA/99 is 200k+. Based on recent sales, we can say a BGS 9 of the Ultimate /250 is around 35-40k.

So, the price multiple of an Exquisite is ~ 6x an Ultimate, even though the print run/population is ~ 2.5x higher. I understand some of this disparity can be explained with the iconic nature/significance of the Exquisite line, particularly with the 2003 issue, but if you put both cards side by side, I'd be hard pressed to say the Exquisite wins based on eye appeal alone. I actually think the Ultimate looks better, even if it doesn't have his full auto, a patch, etc.

davechappelle · 12-09-2019, 12:12 PM

Here's my ranking of Lebron Rookie cards below $500 which is attainable to me.

1. Finest /999 (sometimes can be bought below $500)
2. Fleer Showcase /1000
3. Sweet Shot /799
4. SP Game Used /1000
5. Topps Contemporary
6. Honor Roll RC /499
7. Topps Jersey Edition
8. Topps Chrome
9. Fleer Mystique /999
10. Topps Pristine
11. Bowman Chrome
12. Fleer Focus /499
13. Hardcourt /799

pcptrade · 12-09-2019, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davechappelle

Here's my ranking of Lebron Rookie cards below $500 which is attainable to me.

1. Finest /999 (sometimes can be bought below $500)
2. Fleer Showcase /1000
3. Sweet Shot /799
4. SP Game Used /1000
5. Topps Contemporary
6. Honor Roll RC /499
7. Topps Jersey Edition
8. Topps Chrome
9. Fleer Mystique /999
10. Topps Pristine
11. Bowman Chrome
12. Fleer Focus /499
13. Hardcourt /799

Nice list

I like Fleer Mystique/999 and Hardcourt Futures/799 among those.

Shaz · 01-28-2021, 07:09 PM

Hi Everyone,

Just trying to understand the difference between Lebron's "true" rookie cards and "non true".

Does any one have a definition between the 2?

I am aware of the Beckett list of rookie card rankings but it doesn't explain why some cards aren't deemed "true" rookies.

As a random example lets use the Exquisite Extra /75 card - why wouldn't something like this be considered a true rookie card?

Shaz · 01-30-2021, 04:28 AM

SP Authentic Signatures is another example - anyone know why?

drobfan8 · 01-30-2021, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

Hi Everyone,

Just trying to understand the difference between Lebron's "true" rookie cards and "non true".

Does any one have a definition between the 2?

I am aware of the Beckett list of rookie card rankings but it doesn't explain why some cards aren't deemed "true" rookies.

As a random example lets use the Exquisite Extra /75 card - why wouldn't something like this be considered a true rookie card?

Because a "True RC" is the first card of the player in the base set.

Parallels, inserts, Jersey, Patches and Autos all come after.

Shaz · 01-30-2021, 05:39 AM

I get that but some on the Beckett list (which a few people have directed me to) has autos.

So let me use another example which is 2003 SP Authentic auto /500 (the vertical one with him dunking) vs SP Authentic Signatures which is not numbered (the horizontal one where he is smiling) - are we saying the latter is not a true rookie which its a parallel?

There are a lot of non true RC's that I prefer over the true RCs hence the questions.

jw8 · 01-30-2021, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

I get that but some on the Beckett list (which a few people have directed me to) has autos.

So let me use another example which is 2003 SP Authentic auto /500 (the vertical one with him dunking) vs SP Authentic Signatures which is not numbered (the horizontal one where he is smiling) - are we saying the latter is not a true rookie which its a parallel?

There are a lot of non true RC's that I prefer over the true RCs hence the questions.

Why does it matter? Collect what you like.

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Shaz · 01-30-2021, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw8

Why does it matter? Collect what you like.

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Absolutely and I am but I'm a noob and trying to make sense of the details in collecting.

jw8 · 01-30-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

Absolutely and I am but I'm a noob and trying to make sense of the details in collecting.

Go to psa website and familiarize yourself with the base set and insert sets for each product. It will become more apparent when you see that SP Authentic Inkredible Signature is an insert of SP Authentic etc.

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Chris P · 01-30-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

I get that but some on the Beckett list (which a few people have directed me to) has autos.

So let me use another example which is 2003 SP Authentic auto /500 (the vertical one with him dunking) vs SP Authentic Signatures which is not numbered (the horizontal one where he is smiling) - are we saying the latter is not a true rookie which its a parallel?

There are a lot of non true RC's that I prefer over the true RCs hence the questions.

The Sp Authentic auto rc to 500 is part of the base set..thus considered a true rc. The Signatures isnt..its an auto set within Sp Authentic..different card numbering

JimCa · 01-30-2021, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

SP Authentic Signatures is another example - anyone know why?

This is the Lebron RC from SP Signatures. While the auto version you're referring to is probably described as an RC in virtually every listing, this is the only True RC from that set.

(not mine BTW)

Shaz · 01-30-2021, 06:43 PM

Thanks guys and girls - my personal conclusion is that there is no difference between a true rookie and non true rookie and collect what you like.

I prefer rarity and eye appeal in cards and Im find a lot more these in non true rookie cards.

12-09-2019, 08:27 AM	#27
ACCDADEAL Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Charlottesville VA Posts: 3,474 collectionsuneed	here is mine, pack pulled, love this card.... __________________ Strictly underground funk, keep the crossover. Please feel free to counter offer my prices in a PM. Thanks! Last edited by ACCDADEAL; 06-30-2024 at 01:55 PM.

12-09-2019, 09:32 AM	#29
nfunk Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,789 nfunk82 nfunk	To me it's the Ultimate without question. Great pose, auto stands out on the white background, and it's limited to 250 copies with no parallels. As others have mentioned, TC has many parallels and I like the eye appeal of the Xfractor over the gold. 03-04 Golds don't have an amazing shine. __________________ PC's: Revolution Galactic, LeBron, Matthew Stafford, & Shiny Stuff Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/130031161@N07/albums/with/72157664643757362 Instagram: nfunkcollection

12-09-2019, 09:59 AM	#30
PKIPP Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,980	Love some gold refractors but I'd rather have a Bron rookie auto so.. The ultimate collection for sure. If the gold was /10 like panini era stuff maybe I'd feel different? Either way both are dope tho. __________________ i collect Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers, Carmelo Anthony, Donovan Mitchell, Detroit Pistons Follow me on IG: Cardboard_vault

12-09-2019, 08:15 AM	#26
robertscz Banned Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 426	Not trying to thread jack, but quick question... Seems as though the 2 that are "affordable" to me are the spa and spx... When it comes to these cards, how important will the grading be as we move forward?? There are multiple BGS 9/10 that are way lower in price on ebay right now (obviously), would I be worth the extra money and time to wait for one to pop up that is a 9.5/10? Is BGS the way to go with these because of the dual grading over PSA? Thank you! Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

12-09-2019, 12:12 PM	#34
davechappelle Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 272	Here's my ranking of Lebron Rookie cards below $500 which is attainable to me. 1. Finest /999 (sometimes can be bought below $500) 2. Fleer Showcase /1000 3. Sweet Shot /799 4. SP Game Used /1000 5. Topps Contemporary 6. Honor Roll RC /499 7. Topps Jersey Edition 8. Topps Chrome 9. Fleer Mystique /999 10. Topps Pristine 11. Bowman Chrome 12. Fleer Focus /499 13. Hardcourt /799

01-28-2021, 07:09 PM	#36
Shaz Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 323	Hi Everyone, Just trying to understand the difference between Lebron's "true" rookie cards and "non true". Does any one have a definition between the 2? I am aware of the Beckett list of rookie card rankings but it doesn't explain why some cards aren't deemed "true" rookies. As a random example lets use the Exquisite Extra /75 card - why wouldn't something like this be considered a true rookie card?

01-30-2021, 04:28 AM	#37
Shaz Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 323	SP Authentic Signatures is another example - anyone know why?

01-30-2021, 05:39 AM	#39
Shaz Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 323	I get that but some on the Beckett list (which a few people have directed me to) has autos. So let me use another example which is 2003 SP Authentic auto /500 (the vertical one with him dunking) vs SP Authentic Signatures which is not numbered (the horizontal one where he is smiling) - are we saying the latter is not a true rookie which its a parallel? There are a lot of non true RC's that I prefer over the true RCs hence the questions.

01-30-2021, 06:43 PM	#45
Shaz Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 323	Thanks guys and girls - my personal conclusion is that there is no difference between a true rookie and non true rookie and collect what you like. I prefer rarity and eye appeal in cards and Im find a lot more these in non true rookie cards.